Car Thief Leads Cops On Foot Chase Through Coddingtown Mall: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle and then trying to flee from officers Wednesday afternoon by running inside the Coddingtown Mall, according to police. The suspect, identified as Scott Christopher Main, 37, was spotted driving a stolen car by an off-duty police detective near the intersection of North Dutton Avenue and Guerneville Road around 1:45 p.m., police said.

The detective alerted other officers, who tried to pull him over at Steele Lane in front of the mall, according to police. Main didn't immediately pull over, and he drove toward the mall, stopped the car and fled on foot.

Officers pursued the man into the mall, where a bystander tried to grab Main and was knocked to the ground, police said. The collision slowed down Main but didn't stop him. The bystander, a 34-year-old Santa Rosa man, suffered a serious injury to his leg and was taken to a hospital.

Main was stopped by officers as he reached the main corridor of the mall, police said. He didn't immediately comply with officers' requests but was taken into custody. He also tried to run from officers while in handcuffs and being escorted from the scene, but was quickly stopped.

Two officers suffered minor injuries, and one was transported to a hospital.

Main has been booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of driving and possessing a stolen vehicle, battery and resisting police officers.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Santa Rosa police at 707-543-3575

— Bay City News Service